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Why was the leopard's head uncrowned?
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:13 am
by Elena Russ
Hi, dear sirs!
I know the leopard's head on the stamp of London was crowned in 1478 year in connection the establishment of Assay Office. But why was it uncrowned in 1821 year? Thank you in advance.
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Re: Why was the leopard's head uncrowned?
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:54 pm
by Granmaa
A good question!
Jackson's says on p.67 "The reason for the loss of the crown to the leopard's head in 1821-22 has not yet been established.
I believe that the leopard's head of the Newcastle assay office retained its crown beyond this date.
Miles
Re: Why was the leopard's head uncrowned?
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 2:22 pm
by techsol
Just a thought, could it be that in this year the duty payment went to parliament rather than to the monarch?
Re: Why was the leopard's head uncrowned?
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 5:40 pm
by Granmaa
Touching Gold and Silver p.91 suggests that it was one of the many subtle hallmark differences introduced to prevent forgery.
Miles
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